LEWES ARTIST CREATES UNIQUE CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARDS

Lewes-based artist Lyndsey Smith’s colourful depictions of Sussex scenes have become very popular as Christmas cards to raise money for local charity SASBAH (the Sussex Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus). This festive season more of her designs than ever before will be on sale through Cards for Good Causes.

The humorous way in which Lyndsey adds well-known Sussex characters into her watercolour paintings has become a trademark of her style. Celebrities and historical figures associated with Lewes feature on one card of skaters on Pells Pool in Lewes. So Raymond Briggs and his Snowman, Marilyn Monroe (rumoured to have had lunch at the Shelley’s Hotel), actor Mark Williams, Ann of Cleves, Guy Fawkes and others mingle on the frozen pool. Other iconic scenes include skating at Brighton Pavilion, a Christmas swim on Eastbourne seafront, Castle Gate in Lewes and Eastbourne Bandstand.

Lyndsey has been working with SASBAH for a number of years and the funds raised via card sales form a vital part of the small charity’s annual fundraising, with almost £15,000 raised through Cards for Good Causes last year. With at least 70p in every pound going back to the charity, buying charity Christmas cards is one of the easiest ways to support worthwhile charities this festive season.

The cards designed by Lyndsey are on sale at the pop-up shops run by Cards for Good Causes in Brighton, Lewes, Eastbourne, Uckfield, Chichester and Haywards Heath.Run by teams of local volunteers, the Sussex outlets are part of Cards for Good Causes’ network of more than 300 shops across the UK. The shops raise funds for over 200 national charities including Cancer Research UK, Barnardo’s, NSPCC, Alzheimer’s Society and RNLI, along with a range of local charities like SASBAH. As well as the extensive choice of Christmas cards, they also stock a fantastic range of festive gifts, decorations, wrapping, stocking fillers and tasty treats.

Judith O’Sullivan of Cards for Good Causes, says: “Lyndsey’s wonderful designs are greatly anticipated by our customers and always sell out, so if you like the look of them, do pop down to one of our shops soon. We stock one of the widest ranges of Christmas cards anywhere so there will be a wide variety choose from. And the proceeds from every single card or product we sell makes a real difference to the work of the many fabulous charities such as SASBAH.”

In the past ten years, charities have received more than £40 million from Cards for Good Causes, representing at least 70p in every pound, out of which the charities pay for the production and distribution of their Christmas cards and any VAT.

The original full size watercolour paintings of some of the card designs will be on display at the Chalk Gallery in Lewes from 6 – 25 November.

Cards for Good Causes Limited (VAT No GB 458 9691 78 Registered in England No 2260866) is the trading company of The 1959 Group of Charities (Registered Charity No 249039). Head and Registered Office: 1 Edison Gate, West Portway, Andover, Hampshire SP10 3SE.